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Entry Software Systems Developer Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Software Systems Developer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Software Systems Developer in the United States is $79,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, an Entry Software Systems Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,318
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,100 to $86,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,909

Key Factors That Influence Entry Software Systems Developer Salaries

An Entry Software Systems Developer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Software Systems Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Software Systems Developer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Software Systems Developer (0-2 years): $79,844
  • Intermediate Software Systems Developer (2-4 years): $109,714
  • Senior Software Systems Developer (4-7 years): $128,727
  • Systems Applications Developer IV (7+ years): $143,184
  • Systems Applications Developer V (7-10 years): $165,981
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Software Systems Developer0-2 years$79,844
Intermediate Software Systems Developer2-4 years$109,714
Senior Software Systems Developer4-7 years$128,727
Systems Applications Developer IV7+ years$143,184
Systems Applications Developer V7-10 years$165,981

Top Paying Cities for Entry Software Systems Developers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $100,800
  • San Francisco: $99,700
  • Oakland: $97,600

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Software Systems Developer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 4.09% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Operating System (Mentioned in 2.44% Job Postings): Maintaining software that runs on a computer that serves as an interface between computer hardware components and the user.
  • ISO (Mentioned in 2.05% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 4.09%
Operating System 2.44%
ISO 2.05%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Entry Software Systems Developer's salary.

  • Application Security: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Virtualization: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Information Security: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Application Security $103,071
29%
Virtualization $90,287
13%
Information Security $88,689
11%

Entry Software Systems Developer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Software Systems Developer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $89,292. While startup companies pay approximate $75,532.

Entry Software Systems Developer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,532
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,882
Established 501~5000 $86,222
Enterprise 5000+ $89,292

Entry Software Systems Developer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Software Systems Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Entry Software Systems Developer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Software Systems Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Software Systems Developer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$95,880$46.020%
Biotechnology$95,880$46.020%
Energy & Utilities$95,880$46.020%
Financial Services$95,880$46.020%
Pharmaceuticals$95,880$46.020%

Entry Software Systems Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Software Systems Developer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$73,100
Average $79,900/year
$86,400
$6,092
Average $6,658/month
$7,200
$1,406
Average $1,537/week
$1,662
$35
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,400 $7,200 $1,662 $42
Average $79,900 $6,658 $1,537 $38
25th Percentile $73,100 $6,092 $1,406 $35

Entry Software Systems Developer Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Entry Software Systems Developer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Entry Software Systems Developer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Intermediate Software Systems Developer $109,800 37%
Enterprise Applications Developer II $103,300 29%
Enterprise Systems Engineer II $101,600 27%
Intermediate Operating Systems Programmer $96,100 20%

Most common benefits for Entry Software Systems Developer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Software Systems Developer

Here are companies hiring for Entry Software Systems Developer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Software Systems Developer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Software Systems Developer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Software Systems Developer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Which engineering is the richest?

While various engineering fields offer high salaries, Entry Software Systems Engineers have a competitive salary range. The minimum salary is $71,500, the mid-range salary is $79,200, and the maximum salary can reach $88,900. This positions them well among other engineering careers, though fields like petroleum and aerospace engineering typically offer higher median salaries.

3. What is the beginning salary of a software engineer?

The beginning salary for an Entry Software Systems Engineer typically ranges from $71,500 to $88,900 annually, with a mid-range salary of about $79,200. This reflects the competitive nature of the industry and the demand for skilled engineers.

4. What is a software engineer entry level?

An entry-level software engineer typically engages in basic troubleshooting, testing, and debugging tasks. They may also contribute to developing new features or enhancing existing ones through coding. Salaries for this role range from $71,500 to $88,900, with a median salary of $79,200, reflecting the skills and responsibilities expected at this level.

5. Is engineer 1 entry-level?

Yes, Engineer I is considered an entry-level position. Incumbents handle less complex civil engineering tasks under direct supervision, preparing for advancement to Engineer II. The salary for this role ranges from $71,500 to $88,900, with a midpoint of $79,200, reflecting the entry-level nature of the position.

6. Do software engineers work from home?

Yes, software engineers can work from home, making it one of the best occupations for remote work. With the right skills and equipment, remote opportunities are abundant. Entry-level software systems engineers can expect salaries ranging from $71,500 to $88,900, with a mid-salary of $79,200, reflecting the demand for their expertise.

7. What is the lowest salary for a software engineer?

The lowest salary for an Entry Software Systems Engineer is $71,500. The average salary typically falls around $79,200, while top earners can make up to $88,900 annually. This data reflects the current salary range for entry-level positions in the field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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